Okaloosa County BOCC — November 17, 2015 — 2015-2016-interim-legislative-program — reading text

2015-2016 Interim Legislative Program  2015-16 Interim Legislative Program Table of Contents FAC Interim Policy Priorities………………………………………………………..3 Finance, Tax & Administration…………………………………………………….. 9 Growth Management, Agriculture & Environment…………………………… 11 Health & Human Services…………………………………………………………… 17 Public Safety……………………………………………………………………………. 20 Federal…………………………………………………………………………………… 24 2  2015-16 Interim Legislative Program FAC Interim Policy Priorities Lisa M. Hurley, Esq., Legislative Director Email: lhurley@fl-counties.com Phone: 850-922-4300 or Fax: 850-488-7501 TAX R EFOR M SUPPORT tax reform measures that simplify administration and provide an economic boost to Florida’s taxpayers while at the same time considering and minimizing the collective and cumulative negative impact on local revenues, including state shared and local discretionary revenue sources that are critical to local governments in providing community services. Potential tax proposals that are of major concern to FAC include, but are not limited to: A. Communications Services Taxes SUPPORT amending and/or revising current law in a manner that is: 1) revenue neutral; 2) simplifies administration and collection of the current tax; 3) provides for a broad and equitable tax base; 4) provides for enhanced stability and reliability as an important revenue source for local government; and 5) provides the opportunity for market-based growth. OPPOSE legislation that would revise current law in a manner that significantly reduces current local government related revenues. B. Sales Tax Exemption on Commercial Leases SUPPORT legislation that would phase-in a reduction and eventual exemption of state sales tax on commercial leases, but preserving and “grandfathering-in” existing local (county) option sales taxes. C. Property Taxes – “Elimination of Recapture Provision” OPPOSE legislation that would eliminate currently existing recapture provisions for homestead and non-homestead property. 3  2015-16 Interim Legislative Program D. Local Discretionary Revenue Flexibility SUPPORT modifications to existing laws governing local discretionary sales tax revenue sources, including operational expenditures, to provide greater simplification, flexibility and more efficient administration and management. SUPPORT expanding the eligibility to levy the Charter County Transportation Surtax to all counties. ECONOM I C DEVELOP M ENT Economic Development: SUPPORT measures that empower local governments and provides resources to work with community partners towards the creation of quality jobs, more vibrant Florida communities and global competitiveness as envisioned by the Florida Chamber Foundation’s 20 year strategic plan. Related issues that are of major interest to FAC for the 2016 Legislative session include, but are not limited to: A. State and Local Economic Development Partnerships SUPPORT legislation and appropriation that enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of the state and local government partnership in economic development through the greater use of targeted strategies and strategic investments to induce and retain sustainable economic activity resulting in a consistent positive return on investment for both state and local governments. B. Film/Television Entertainment Production Tax Incentives SUPPORT legislation that would enhance the current incentives program to support and incentivize local governments to create and maintain a more sustainable and competitive physical and financial environment for attracting film, television, digital and new media related entertainment production in the State of Florida that promotes and is tied to infrastructure and workforce education in science, technology, engineering, arts and math. 4  2015-16 Interim Legislative Program UTI LI TY R ELOCATI ON Utility Relocation: OPPOSE legislation requiring counties to pay for the relocation of private utilities when such utilities are located within a county-owned right-of- way and must be moved to accommodate a county project. AM ENDM ENT 1/ BEACH R ENOUR I SHM ENT Amendment 1 – The Florida Water and Land Conservation: SUPPORT a balanced distribution of funds for land acquisition and for water quality and quantity projects throughout the state, with equitable allocation irrespective of a project’s urban or rural nature, or its coastal or inland location. SUPPORT maintenance, monitoring and sustainability of existing state conservation lands. SUPPORT land acquisitions of less than fee simple interest, thus reducing the cost to taxpayers by lowering acquisition costs and maintaining property tax revenues, while allowing property owners to continue certain uses on negotiable terms. SUPPORT an acquisition policy that involves local government participation in priority assessment and community impact. SUPPORT the authority of county government to purchase and sell conservation lands in accordance with local needs, charter and ordinance requirements, or financial capacity. Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILT): SUPPORT the continued funding of payments in lieu of taxes to make up for ad valorem losses resulting from state acquisition, with future adjustments to reflect increases in property value. Beach Renourishment: SUPPORT the continuation of a statutory funding source for beach renourishment projects with an increase over the current amount of $30 million, which is no longer sufficient to sustain this important program. 5  2015-16 Interim Legislative Program SUPPORT the revision of statutory criteria for the annual ranking of beach projects for state cost sharing; specifically, criteria that recognize economic benefits and cost- effectiveness, the reduction in storm damage, and the ability to leverage federal dollars. COM P R EHENSI VE W ATER P OLI CY Water Supply: SUPPORT legislation that enhances regional and local financial capacity to address water supply development with allocation flexibility in all available funding sources. SUPPORT the funding of the Water Protection and Sustainability Program within the Department of Environmental Protection and Water Management Districts for the development of alternative water supplies, water quality improvement projects, and comprehensive water infrastructure needs. SUPPORT the fundamental principles of Florida water law which: • Requires demonstration that a proposed use of water is i) a reasonable- beneficial use, ii) will not interfere with an existing legal use of water, and iii) is consistent with the public interest. • Establishes a right of use, not a right of ownership. • Provides for “local sources first” – that is, a county from which water is withdrawn shall not be deprived of the prior right to its reasonable and beneficial use to supply the needs of its natural systems, property owners, and residents. OPPOSE any state-wide water commission or “water czar” which would redefine existing water supply relationships among the state, regional water management districts, and local governments. Water Quality: Indian River Lagoon, Lake Okeechobee Basin & Everglades: SUPPORT state funding for the construction of additional water storage and water quality treatment facilities within the Lake Okeechobee, Caloosahatchee, St. Lucie, Indian River Lagoon and Everglades watersheds. Springs Protection: SUPPORT state funding for nutrient load reduction programs within Florida’s springsheds. SUPPORT the prioritization of springs restoration funding, 6  2015-16 Interim Legislative Program with a program to assist local governments with packing houses and with septic tank connections and facility upgrades in springsheds with higher domestic waste contributions. BEHAVI OR AL HEALTH Behavioral Health Services: SUPPORT efforts to increase supportive housing, employment and education initiatives for people with behavioral health issues and/or disabilities. SUPPORT diverting, medically assisting, or treating mentally ill persons outside of the criminal justice system through alternative community programs, such as Crisis Intervention Teams. Behavioral Health Funding: SUPPORT increased funding for core mental health and substance abuse services. SUPPORT increased funding of the Criminal Justice Mental Health and Substance Abuse Reinvestment Grant Program with recurring dollars in a trust fund. SUPPORT sustainable matching state funds to counties that have received both planning and implementation Reinvestment Grant funds. Baker Act/Marchman Act: SUPPORT appropriate funding for crisis mental health and substance abuse beds statewide. SUPPORT coordinated efforts to increase access to acute care behavioral health services for individuals and families. Homelessness: SUPPORT developing a dedicated state funding source for homeless programs. SUPPORT legislation that streamlines current state statutes relating to homelessness and associated programs, including the funding allocation and appropriation processes. SUPPORT the implementation of discharge protocols and/or procedures for hospitals, correctional facilities, and mental health facilities when releasing homeless persons. SUPPORT the development of strategies that would allow local governments to work with the state and federal government to serve target populations: the chronically homeless, veterans, and families and children, with particular emphasis on children aging out of the foster care system. 7  2015-16 Interim Legislative Program FAC Federal Interim Policy Priorities Lisa M. Hurley, Esq., Legislative Director Email: lhurley@fl-counties.com Phone: 850-922-4300 or Fax: 850-488-7501 Eric Poole, Assistant Legislative Director Email: epoole@fl-counties.com Phone: 850-922-4300 Fax: 850-488-7501 W aters of the United States (W OTUS) SUPPORT legislation that clarifies that local streets, gutters, and other stormwater infrastructure are excluded from the definition of “Waters of the U.S.,” while also requiring federal agencies to consult with state and local officials to identify which waters should be federally regulated and which should be left to the states. M AP -21 R eauthorization